autista
/auˈtista/
The English word 'autistic' is translated into Spanish as autista. Wiktionary also lists autístico.
Meaning: having or pertaining to autism (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| autista | /auˈtista/ |
| autístico | /autistiko/ (from spelling rules) |
autista is used as an adjective to describe someone having or pertaining to autism, and it also functions as a noun to refer to a person who has autism.
Which one should you use?
While autístico is a valid adjective, autista is the more common term used both as an adjective and as a noun to refer to a person with autism.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term autista is commonly used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form autista is gender-neutral, meaning it is used for both masculine and feminine subjects. The plural form is autistas.
How do you pronounce it?
/auˈtista/
Did you know?
- The word autista belongs to a small group of Spanish nouns ending in -ista that remain invariant in gender, similar to dentista or artista.
- In some Spanish-speaking communities, the term neurodivergente is rapidly replacing autista in social justice and advocacy circles.
- While autista is the standard term, many Spanish speakers prefer the phrase persona con autismo to follow 'person-first language' guidelines.
Examples in context
- Soy autista.I'm autistic.The sentence is useful for expressing that you are autistic using autista.Tatoeba #5840351 by arh, translation #5839988 by CK
- Tom es autista.Tom is autistic.The sentence is useful for stating that Tom is autistic using autista.Tatoeba #5567602 by swyter, translation #3171317 by CK
- Mi hijo es autista.My son is autistic.The sentence is useful for saying that your son is autistic using autista.Tatoeba #12929071 by araneo, translation #10651166 by felidad
- niño autistaAutistic child
- Ella es una persona con autismoShe is autistic
- espectro autistaAutism spectrum
- Ella tiene un hijo con autismoShe has an autistic son
- Mi primo es autistaMy cousin is autistic
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a new student in their class.
- JavierEl nuevo alumno es autista.The new student is autistic.
- Sofía¿Es un niño autista?Is he an autistic boy?
- JavierSí, él es autista.Yes, he is autistic.
- SofíaEs importante entenderlo.It is important to understand him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “autistic” translations and entries autista, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
